It was born from an idea based on the most innocent and highly
sought after premise.
Youth.
In October of last year, 15 women started the Hollister/San Juan
Bautista chapter of the Red Hat Society.
It was born from an idea based on the most innocent and highly sought after premise.
Youth.
In October of last year, 15 women started the Hollister/San Juan Bautista chapter of the Red Hat Society.
The society, which has chapters all over the state and abroad, includes women age 50 or older, who refuse to conform to society’s idea of growing older.
In 1961, Jenny Joseph, an English poet, published a poem titled “Warning” that spoke of frivolity and almost random, childish acts when growing old.
“The poem says that when I get old I’m gonna go out and have fun in my red hat and purple dress,” said Fran Leonard, Queen Mother of the Hollister/San Juan chapter.
Several years ago, some women from Fullerton, Calif., saw the poem and decided they were going to dress the part and “strut their stuff” in their unusual, albeit eye-catching garb at tea parties and luncheons, Leonard said.
“They were noticed and talked to, and so they decided to form this organization called the Red Hat Society,” Leonard said. “And that’s why I organized it here.”
Leonard and her brazenly attired friends had been meeting at the Round Table Pizza on Tres Pinos Road every Friday for the past two years. Late last year when she pitched the red hat idea, every one of her pizza pals, save one, was all for it.
“We’re our own organization,” she said. “We feel special because we’re all older and it’s something for us to do to dress up in our purple and red.”
Each chapter can also choose their own name. Between the glinting sequins on their flaming headgear and their saucy boas and purses, the ladies of Hollister and San Juan decided the Razzle Dazzlers summed them up perfectly.
Starting the chapter was easy, as there are no strict rules and guidelines, but there are basic steps to getting started, such as registering as an Official Red Hat Member and paying an annual fee of $35 to the main chapter in Fullerton.
“It’s to get your certificate and membership cards – there’s no monthly fee,” Leonard said, “and there’s other perks.”
Perks such as discounts off air travel, rental cars and hotels, as well as commerce and entertainment discounts are included for members.
The society has an online retail store where members can purchase hats, pins and other paraphernalia familiar with the red hatters, Leonard said.
Each monthly meeting is hosted by one of the members. The club was formed for one reason and one reason only, Leonard said.
“This is strictly a fun club, nothing else,” she said. “We might plan to go to Monterey or go out to dinner or lunch – or maybe to San Juan and just walk around.”
Many of the women in the club are widowers, and the social club, along with the love and support of their friends, helps fill a necessary void.
“When you become a widow, it’s a lonely situation,” she said. “It gets them out and they really enjoy it. We’ve had people come over and ask what it’s all about and really congratulate us for getting out and doing it.”
Because there are many red hat clubs in the surrounding area, as the Razzle Dazzlers get their club up and running more smoothly, they will likely take trips and start meeting other red hatters, Leonard said.
A club out of San Jose has invited the ladies to meet with them for a fashion show, along with national conventions the ladies might attend in Texas and Florida, she said.
They also plan on bestowing their youthful attitude on the residents of the North Side Convalescent Hospital, Leonard said.
“Everyone in the club’s just hilarious – we have a great time together,” she said. “It isn’t that we’re crazy, people probably think we are when we dress like this, but it’s just to get together with our friends and make new friends.”
While the Razzle Dazzlers chapter is full, anyone who would like to start their own chapter of the Red Hat Society is welcome to do so, and can start by visiting the Red Hat Society’s Web site at www.redhatsociety.com.
